West Seattle restaurants: A Terrible Beauty has closed in The Junction

ErinB June 9, 2014 (5:49 pm)

I thought they had broken the curse of that location, but apparently not! Sad!

smokeycretin9 June 9, 2014 (5:52 pm)

Cursed space. sad

M June 9, 2014 (5:52 pm)

Aww, man. It was the first place in that location that I frequented regularly. Also made a good lunch spot when I was working in the Junction. Looking forward to seeing what takes the spot.

Melodie VanHouten June 9, 2014 (5:57 pm)

NOOOO!!! So sad to see them go. They had amazing food and the staff was fantastic. HomeStreet Bank in West Seattle loves you Brandi! =(

Kayleigh June 9, 2014 (5:57 pm)

I have to say the food was pretty mediocre (bland) and we stopped going there. But I’m never happy to see a restaurant close.

Roddy June 9, 2014 (6:04 pm)

The room of doom strikes again!

Bonnie June 9, 2014 (6:04 pm)

Everything that goes into that spot closes down. Hmmm…

Ben June 9, 2014 (6:05 pm)

Insert obligatory “cursed space” comment here.

Diane June 9, 2014 (6:07 pm)

omg; that is shocking; I thought this place was always busy

Diane June 9, 2014 (6:08 pm)

24 hour cafe please

Not Terribly Surprised June 9, 2014 (6:14 pm)

Yeah… Since my first visit when I witnessed what appeared to be a grandmother-aged women in a plaid schoolgirl skirt/uniform (my eyes!), I’ve been expecting this news. The food was just okay, but not what West Seattle wants: unique, local flavors and originality in all ways–definitely NOT a chain atmosphere where they all but had to wear so much Flair. I think the Matador is about the only small chain that’s made a go of it. Next!

BeachDriveBoy June 9, 2014 (6:17 pm)

Man, what’s the deal with that location? That seems to be the place where restaurants go to die! At first I thought it was the (lack of) parking, but that doesn’t seem to hurt all the other restaurants in that area. I wonder if the landlord is just charging too much rent for the space to fly? It is one of the larger dining rooms in the junction.

patrick June 9, 2014 (6:17 pm)

They seemed pretty short staffed when we were there the other weekend.
How long was Godfathers pizza there for?
For the bonus round, what was there before Godfathers Pizza?

Brewmeister June 9, 2014 (6:18 pm)

What? I was just there last night. It was pretty busy.

Jason June 9, 2014 (6:20 pm)

A few of us were going there a lot for lunch at one point, then a group of people from my company that had never been there went on our recommendation. One of the guys in the group politely mentioned that some part of his dish was under cooked. The waiter got the manager, the manager said he couldn’t help because they didn’t tip well last time they were in. They’d never been in before and none of us ever went back.
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I’ve wanted to complain about this incident for a long time but didn’t want to attack their business for the actions of a single maniac waiter and a shift manager. So now they’re closing I feel like I can. Feels good to get that off my chest haha. It’s unfortunate though, seems like if they could have lasted until the new units were all in they’d have seen a lot of business from all the tenants.

Dale June 9, 2014 (6:22 pm)

I recall seeing tax lien problems for them on the Puget Sound Business Journal last year.

Chris June 9, 2014 (6:23 pm)

Noooooooo!!!! I liked my Ballybrickenfrickenchicken local!!! Sad, sad, sad.

JayDee June 9, 2014 (6:26 pm)

As a younger boomer at Happy hour the place was deafening. True, partly my hearing loss issues, but partly sonically bright surroundings. Breakfast was good to above average and the service a notch above what one might get within a block. They spent a pretty penny on the exterior–hope someone can adapt it to the theme.

Huck June 9, 2014 (6:28 pm)

It didn’t help that some of the staff there were downright rude at times. My girlfriend and I stopped going there months ago. Look at Elliott Bay Brewery. They thrive because they have great food and fast friendly staff. The construction hasn’t shut then down.

West Seattle Snob June 9, 2014 (6:29 pm)

Please remove that dreadful faux rock. It’s an eyesore.

transplantella June 9, 2014 (6:30 pm)

Meh, I won’t miss it. We gave them a couple of chances but the food was blergh and the stadium volume music in that small space was nightmarish.

Table 35 had much better food.

Don June 9, 2014 (6:31 pm)

No surprise here. The last 2 weekends have been dead quiet in there every time I walked past. My wife and I stopped going there a year back after our friends we were having dinner with ordered the beet & goat cheese starter, and there was mold on the cheese (and no, it wasn’t supposed to be there). It’s too bad another business has failed in that space, given that it has so much going for it.

Linwood June 9, 2014 (6:44 pm)

Time to open a lesbian bar!

West Seattle Hipster June 9, 2014 (6:46 pm)

I feel terrible for the folks losing their jobs.

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Bring back Godfathers

Wes C. Addle June 9, 2014 (6:50 pm)

I concur with what many have already said. Super loud & service was slow. It felt like an Irish Hooters to me. That being said, it seemed like this place was always busy.

C June 9, 2014 (6:53 pm)

The first 2 times I tried to go in, I opened the door & left because it was sooooo LOUD !
Could it be that it was too popular ? Well @ least until the cranes went up ?

Sarah June 9, 2014 (6:57 pm)

That location isn’t cursed. They didn’t know how to properly or honestly run a business, that’s why that place failed. Their other locations will probably follow in suit.

Westside J June 9, 2014 (6:58 pm)

You know what would work well in that space? Godfathers Pizza!

pupsarebest June 9, 2014 (7:12 pm)

Sad.
The aesthetics/ambience were beautiful, no scrimping on that aspect of the business, for sure.
Food was good, too, but after the dismissive treatment by one of their managers a year or so ago, we resolved never to return.

hj June 9, 2014 (7:15 pm)

I knew this as early as 1:30am this morning when they woke up the whole neighborhood carting out stuff into moving vans. You could tell that they were on a downward spiral– the hours were cut back to an unhelpful degree (who wants to go to a bar that closes at 11 on Friday?), they stopped the live music, and the soup of the day was beer cheddar for the past six months. I’m gonna miss the reuben.

Kathy June 9, 2014 (7:18 pm)

Loved going to terrible beauty at first when they had live music.

Rosa2u2 June 9, 2014 (7:22 pm)

Awe man, another one bites the dust. Now Im craving shepherds pie.

rd June 9, 2014 (7:23 pm)

A Terrible Surprise. Not. Went there on opening day and the service and food was horrible. Went back a few times allowing for opening day madness…..and always the same experience = bad service and mediocre food. And it was unclean.

I’m sad to see yet another restaurant in that space fail and even sadder their employees are out of a job.

I think Stumptown or another local coffeehouse should open in that space. Would rather go there than Royale (snobby) or Uptown Espresso (stinky).

David June 9, 2014 (7:24 pm)

I miss the old gay bar (Guppy’s) which was fine, it didn’t close because of business but other reasons. Every restaurant that’s replaced it has failed. To be fair, the restaurant business is, risky at best. The running joke being “How do you make a small fortune in the restaurant business? Start with a large fortune and work your way down.”

Ray West June 9, 2014 (7:25 pm)

I was very unimpressed by the food and the service. It’s too bad because I had high hopes for it when it opened. I really like this type of cuisine and find the Celtic Swell menu a bit limited (though much better). TB definitely needed a lot of improvement.

Oeste por vida June 9, 2014 (7:25 pm)

A preemptive casualty of the 15 Now! tyranny. Welcome Applebee’s.

former employee June 9, 2014 (7:38 pm)

Not at all suprised. 90% of the time paychecks bounced. They regularly had the water or gas shut off and the city took away the dumpster for lack of payment. Totally mismanaged.

patt June 9, 2014 (7:40 pm)

Wasn’t Lee’s Furniture and Appliances there in the 70’s or was that next door by the Grocery Store?

! June 9, 2014 (7:42 pm)

If anyone knows where the Thursday night Trivia guy ends up, please comment! He was a great host – hope he shows up at another neighborhood joint.

jw June 9, 2014 (7:42 pm)

Well, I used to say that what WS lacked was a French bistro, and now we have Cassis (hallelujah!). So… huh. I think we still need a branch of Green Leaf/Tamarind Tree. Otherwise… what do we need? I have a feeling that the thing we need is not anything that will be successful in such a big space.

jissy June 9, 2014 (7:47 pm)

Interesting…. we drove by yesterday morning (on our way to breakfast elsewhere) and I noticed what looked to be their cooks and waitstaff standing out front of the restaurant like someone had forgotten to open that morning and let all the workers in!

That sucks…. hope all those folks can work at other locations or that they got some sort of severance. (That would be TOTALLY unacceptable for them not to have gotten ANY notice)!!!!

Curtiss June 9, 2014 (7:49 pm)

NOT a “Cursed Corner!” Hate that excuse. As a regular in the early days, this spot/theme had all the right stuff to stand the test of time. Though in my opinion, backing off the faux Irish decor, mini skirt, schoolgirl outfits, & the ENDLESS 15 song Irish Pandora rotation would have only helped their endeavor, I can say with certainty (being a lifer of West Seattle) that it ALL started going downhill when the powers that be decided to fire most of their original staff. Mostly West Seattleites themselves, the true regular clientele (including myself) came because of THEM primarily & secondly for the amazing food (at the time) which obviously also went downhill after the original head chef was fired along with the rest of the staff; & according to most of them, for either no reason at all, or at best as the result of delusional, fabricated, spur of the moment, “hand cleansing” changes in policy by ownership and/or their newly appointed, corporate “yes-men/women” put in place to free up owners time to focus on the next step in their franchising conquest. In short, this place could, would, & by all rights SHOULD have succeeded! If only the ego of “entrepreneurs” (which by definition, they obviously ARE NOT) could have been kept in check, & if, regardless of personal ego, could have only understood that a business’s personality & consequential reputation flows down from the “top.” (Please don’t let the word “top” go to your already over-inflated head). If you don’t appreciate the people working for you, developing relationships with locals, & making YOUR “dream” happen, then it’s an inevitability that they, their customers, any witnesses to any of this, and the flies on the wall will find it hard to to in turn appreciate & endorse YOU. Much less support you, vouch for you or spread the word (the best kind of marketing) FOR you. This corner is not cursed. There’s been a bad run of concepts to be sure, or at the wrong times, but ATB could have made it. It’s no ghost, it is ego. & I agree with you Chris, & Melodie… Sad. Let’s hope other business owners, future business owners & entrepreneurs alike can learn from their mistakes.

Eric June 9, 2014 (7:53 pm)

I always found the service to be really bad and the food was pretty mediocre at best. Surprised it didn’t close sooner. Jaded rude staff there.

villagegreen June 9, 2014 (7:56 pm)

Ha! Cursed location, I don’t think so. More like mediocre food and poor planning. Leave the place exactly as it is, put in a chef that knows how to cook, stop gouging people on the price of a Guinness, and you’ve got a raging success. Guaranteed.

Actually, they were a raging success before they decided to open their South Lake Union branch. Shipped over the chef and staff and left West Seattle with inexperienced newcomers. That’s what happens when you’re more interested in expanding your “brand” than serving excellent food to a neighborhood. I’m sure it’s much easier to get away with overpriced drinks and food when you’re serving Amazoids with cash to burn.

Good lord, I wish someone in Seattle knew how to open a decent Irish Pub. I swear I’d single-handedly keep you in business!

villagegreen June 9, 2014 (7:59 pm)

Oops. Curtiss, you beat me to it! Said it better than I did as well.;)

Dave Nichols June 9, 2014 (8:17 pm)

Great taps, lacking in food (even bar food ) chops, staff indifferent .
This could be a great spot with a good businessman and good chef & good bar…

Next- with 1400 new apartments coming (look up) you could do well.

Wild One June 9, 2014 (8:18 pm)

Sad to see it go. They were the only place in West Seattle that I know of to serve the delicious Hales Cream Ale.
One time aftter the WS Street Festival I went there with some friends and afterward a woman kicked me in the head right outside of that place. She knocked me down flat onto the pavement. I thought to myself “now THAT’S a terrible beauty!” I later married that woman.
True story.

Krs June 9, 2014 (8:19 pm)

Would love to see a diner go in here! Maybe even 24/7

datamuse June 9, 2014 (8:24 pm)

When I’d rather brave downtown traffic and parking to go to Kells instead, it says something.
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Awful choice of name, too.

Jgonplay June 9, 2014 (8:30 pm)

Sad to see them leave the neighborhood. Loved their happy hour and music.

AdmiralSDV June 9, 2014 (8:37 pm)

Man, tough cookies on here, but I guess those are usually the ones commenting a hyper local blog post. I’m always surprised to see how many curmudgeon critics there are in this part of town, especially for how slow all of you people drive and how laid back we usually are around here. I propose that all of you geniuses partner with me to start a restaurant in the same space so we can be perfect and make a gazillion dollars and never be criticized, ever.

On a more serious note, I’m bummed that the only real bar left for me to get a Crabbies ginger beer is down on Alki. Also the trivia guy at A Terrible Beauty is awesome… hope he finds a new home in the junction.

A June 9, 2014 (8:50 pm)

Street robberies, thefts, stolen cars total 20 comments. Restaurant closing, 47 comments and counting. Ah, West Seattle – are you the pampered yuppies that so many of you decry?

pjmanley June 9, 2014 (9:00 pm)

Being Irish was cool before Michael Flatly’s armless Rockettes and the ubiquitous, dull Celtic Women ran it into the ground. I’m proud of my heritage, but not the silly, superficial & overdone parts of it. It wears thin quickly and I think TB went all-in on the wrong focus points, which did them in. Good food, prompt service, decent atmosphere and competitive price equals successful operation. Lack any one of those four, and it’ll fail.

Diane June 9, 2014 (9:00 pm)

agree Krs; that’s what I said, 10th comment
(cafe/diner, whatever; just make it 24 hr); would REALLY love a cool place to go late that is not a bar

Lily June 9, 2014 (9:00 pm)

Sad that nothing survives in this spot for long.

Steve June 9, 2014 (9:02 pm)

Still miss Guppies! Now that was a fun bar and is missed by many.

Kate June 9, 2014 (9:06 pm)

Great idea Krs ‘re: diner! Definitely a hole in current dining options. Hate to pile on the service complaints, but if I haven’t been spoken to after waiting for 5 minutes after entering a restaurant I leave. A Terrible Beauty was one of those spots and after reading these comments, I was not alone.

Sarah June 9, 2014 (9:09 pm)

Who said Green Leaf/Tamarind Tree? — Yes Yes Yes!!

Kate June 9, 2014 (9:10 pm)

I miss Ovio. I still think about the pork/Pernod/lentil dish.

Billy June 9, 2014 (9:13 pm)

I am glad to see this place go! the renton location is great but the west seattle location had a rude staff and just ok food. I remember eating there at 10pm on a saturday and the manager pretty much told us to leave because it was to slow for them to stay open. Looks like they could have used my bussiness.

WSince86 June 9, 2014 (9:22 pm)

Admiral SDV – you can buy Crabbies at The Beer Junction!!!

Food fan June 9, 2014 (9:25 pm)

I’m starting to wonder if Seattle is a restaurant town.

Lil June 9, 2014 (9:26 pm)

My daughter, who graduated with a degree in Hospitality Business Management, said it’s very difficult to make a go of it if there’s been a pattern of restaurant closures. There is a common thread of cause running through the failures that someone needs to break – not a jinx – just a business practice that needs to change to make it work.

Ann June 9, 2014 (9:58 pm)

Terribly expensive closed!? 2 halfway decent shots of whiskey, 2 beers and ONE shared Reuben cost us nearly $70. Not surprised.

B-Check June 9, 2014 (10:04 pm)

Sad, but unfortunately not surprising. I personally loved the atmosphere, as I am a big fan of Irish pubs (Owl & Thistle downtown being my favorite)- but the food and service had really slipped the past year. I had perhaps the worst corned beef and cabbage of my life there the Friday before St. Paddy’s Day – I know, an Irish pub that weekend, what do you expect? However, it was not very crowded and had a limited menu – I expect it to be at least close to as good as I could make at home, and it was not even in the ball park (cabbage was not seasoned at all, just boiled and tossed in a chunk on the plate).

Anyway, it was a semi-regular staple for us as my 2-year old loved the mac & cheese (big shock) and it was a roomier venue than other nearby places like Elliott Bay. I heard (second-hand rumor alert) that the family was having some issues and that timing is pretty coincident from when I noticed the slippage.

Seems like a good spot for Zippy’s II – I am sure that would break the so called curse!

Anonamouse June 9, 2014 (10:04 pm)

I was one of the original employees from build out until a year and a half ago. The corner is not cursed, the owner does not charge too much for rent, the south lake union location is not a success, it was not anything like a hooters. The mediocre food was because we never had a consistent chef. Some of the food was amazing and we had staff in place to fix any food discrepancies. We all took much pride in working for the company at its opening. We had non stop lines at the door and were open as late as 2 am for at least 2 years. All employees (skirt clad or not) were extremely happy to be there and to serve our new West Seattle customers. Some servers were new to serving so that bad service may have been nervousness. About a year and a half ago all hell broke loose due to bad financial decisions on behalf of the owner of ATB’s. She has continued to repeat these bad decisions and became very distrustful so firing staff would obviously follow. She had mentioned shutting down West Seattle several times before today and really we are all better off. The new tenants should not believe any rumors of curses. Just don’t be a douche bag.

miws June 9, 2014 (10:15 pm)

patrick, Pre-Godfathers, Carlisle Furniture occupied that spot, extending to the space to the north, where Bamg Bar is now located.

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Mike

Harmonic June 9, 2014 (10:25 pm)

What the heck happened? Not 6 months ago there was a one hour wait, and now they are closed? I suppose when you bring in the kids -I kind of expect wait staff to be rude and the service slow. Not that it’s right. Come to thing about it, the east coast treated my kids like royalty, not parasites and they responded accordingly

Genius June 9, 2014 (10:34 pm)

We’ll miss you, ATB! Best trivia nights in the city, by the way. Thanks, Paul, for the tricky questions, funny answers and good times. Where do we follow you?

jz June 9, 2014 (10:36 pm)

I worked there. I changed kegs, looked after bathrooms and eventually served tables. Some of the most horrifying clean-up scenarios happened there. I worked there during what I would call the glory days of the place. The bartenders were great, there was karaoke or trivia almost every night, if not live music(Thanks Erin). When that place moved, it moved. I would like to say, as a previous business owner, that loose comments should be treated as diarrhetic rhetoric. If you have never owned one don’t say sheit. I know from being there that some of my checks bounced. Sometimes my back hurt from hoisting kegs. Et frickin cetera. Welcome to restaurant work. What I loved about the place was that Coleen and Crystal served up a show. All the servers did, too. We all did it. I would’ve worn a damn skirt if that was what it took. PETA-like concernmongers who bitched(no pun intended) about uniforms were uniformly laughed at. It was a job and we did it. We had a good time with all the regulars and irregulars. Hello and Hi to all of you by the way. The scent of a blossom is dispersed quicker when the wind of our breath beats it into non-existence. RIP, ATB.PS: I miss Crystal!

jwright June 9, 2014 (10:38 pm)

I’m still bitter that Ama Ama closed. I shudder to think how many dozens I had during oyster happy hour at 10:00 p.m.!

Joe Szilagyi June 9, 2014 (11:13 pm)

Why are so many people begging for a substandard pizza chain to open in this space? We’ve got two local places with great pizza already in the Junction.

WSB June 9, 2014 (11:17 pm)

Sorry, Joe – I urge people not to get too meta/jokey in comment threads sometimes and this is an example why – it’s a reference to pizza that was in that space LOOONG ago. I think as far back as when Patrick and I arrived in ’91, if not further.

SaraS June 9, 2014 (11:17 pm)

I always enjoyed the food and ambiance there – especially the Mac and Cheese – but have only been there twice in a few years. What to make of that, I don’t know.

I agree with others that say we need a 24-hour diner type restaurant. Maybe something like Cap Hill’s Lost Lake Cafe.

Bunnyfer June 9, 2014 (11:58 pm)

My fiancé and I will miss it. It was our go-to spot in WS, so much so we called it “The Winchester.” We loved the food and beer selection, and tho we sometimes had issues with service or food, a smile and some kindness and understanding lead to a much better experience for everyone involved. RIP ATB.

And yes, please bring back Ama Ama!!!

P June 10, 2014 (12:28 am)

As a former employee I agree with those saying their downfall was firing their core staff and trying to streamline the place like an irish applebees. These people couldn’t even afford a dumpster let alone make payroll on a consistent basis. This closure refelcts the decision of a community and it makes me proud of our community.
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Stef June 10, 2014 (12:44 am)

Mediocre food, mediocre staff and WAY TOO LOUD. Next!

Greystreet June 10, 2014 (6:39 am)

Why does everyone keep utilizing applebees as some quintessential horrible eatery? When is the last time you visited one? Just an FYI, because my best friend is high up the chain of influence, Applebee’s is the largest casual dining franchise in the world…and their menus reflect current food trends/health concerns..maybe do your homework before comparing ATB to a stable, well-run business like Applebee’s. I remember going to ATB during WS Summer Street Festival–worst restaurant experience I had had in Seattle to date and that was over two years ago, it sounds like the accoutrements of trivia and live music were more fun and the made the place a good time–sad to see a business go under but poor management will do that, cheers to something new and exciting in the space.

ca June 10, 2014 (6:57 am)

bring charlestown cafe back in that spot ;) or just a good 24hr cafe!!

Wendell June 10, 2014 (7:17 am)

II went there a few times, and agree with the comments of bad food, hit and miss service and overpriced. At least I don’t have to slalom through smokers every time I walk past that location. Goodbye smokers corner.

rdf June 10, 2014 (7:22 am)

I agree with the diner idea. I love easy street but they aren’t open late enough. I enjoyed the Irish restaurant but quality had begun to dive in the last several months. Good luck to whoever takes the spot.

JK June 10, 2014 (8:09 am)

We only ate there once recently, we both had great meals for lunch and decided it would more or less replace Elliot Bay for our ‘go to’ pub dining.

The main thing I would say that kept us away was the dark, foreboding presence from the sidewalk. I don’t like places that I can’t see in to.

Jay June 10, 2014 (8:53 am)

It was GREAT until Coleen and Crystal left. The staff used to be great and I loved the food, especially that Dublinger Burger. My buddy and I went there frequently- up until the great staff all left and the service turned sour. You shouldn’t have to flag down a waiter to get a beer… or the check. After waiting and waiting we went down the street. We expected this closure.
Bad management

Pete June 10, 2014 (8:56 am)

I’m shocked. I’m even more surprised at the critical comments in the blog. West Seattleites can be very hard to please :).

With the recent departure of Wing Dome, RockSport, and now A Terrible Beauty, combined with the flood of young people as soon as the new Junction condos are habitable, I expect Talarico’s is going to clean up … if only they can stick it out that long.

West 5 June 10, 2014 (9:00 am)

Was Perry’s furniture located there years ago or was that the next building to the east?
What is the property zoning? We all know that single story building on California Ave. are an endangered species.

West5

WSB June 10, 2014 (10:42 am)

W5, the blocks in the heart of The Junction have long been zoned neighborhood commercial 85. I just checked DPD records and in case that was the next question, no, no proposals in the system for this part of the block, so far.

HelperMonkey June 10, 2014 (9:03 am)

this would be a great opportunity for Celtic Swell to have a Junction location! It’s already all “Irished-up” for you. We knew months ago this place was going under – once they opened up their SLU location this one went to the ground. We only went when Mike was bartending anyway. Once he was gone there was no reason to go back – the food (aside from the tuna sandwich, which was amazing for some reason) was kinda…terrible.

debbie June 10, 2014 (9:12 am)

you had to mention RockSport. oh how i miss them!

kjl June 10, 2014 (9:16 am)

I was afraid this would happen. My husband and I loved going here, but stopped going frequently because there was an obvious negative shift in the back of the house. We never had anything against the waitstaff, but the food became pretty inconsistent, especially after the SLU one opened. I often called this one the forgotten middle child.

miws June 10, 2014 (9:17 am)

WSB, I’ve been trying to dig into the memory banks since this came up last night, but off the top of my head, I believe Godfather’s moved in in about the mid’80’s.

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I’m 99% sure that they were the first occupant of the corner space, when Carlisle left, and the large space was split into two.

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Volume (AKA Payless) Shoe Source was an early, if not first, occupant of the Bang Bar spot.

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Mike

miws June 10, 2014 (9:29 am)

West 5, Perry’s Furniture was located, for a time, in the space that Sleepers in Seattles has long been. In the ’60’s, and into the ’70’s, until ’74(?), Wigwam Department Store was there.

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Perry’s was also up in the 4100 block, I believe where West Seattle Fish Co. now is, I thin before being in the SinS space.

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I’m also thinking they were in a third spot, but that may be a misrecollection.

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Mike

RayK June 10, 2014 (9:48 am)

R.I.P. ATB, my neighborhood pub and sports bar. As a newcomer to WS, I enjoyed the crowd watching the Conference Championship and Superbowl there.

area bartender June 10, 2014 (9:54 am)

As a local bartender in the area I am not surprised at the ‘cleaning house’ previously done. I had many FREE drinking nights from the bartenders at the owners expense. Then the management was ‘checked out’. Suddenly they were no longer there! As of recent, service got better and the management was consistent and available (no more free drinks). I frequented this place and the construction has been the killer! I met the owner recently and she is a caring individual and good business woman. There was no foreseeable hope with the construction and ‘closed sidewalk’ signs right in front of the building! ! ! Couldn’t the big business causing the construction do something to help? ? ? Instead of putting the little guy out of business? ? ? I hear all businesses in the area are down revenue but A Terrible Beauty was right next door! May your other two locations thrive! Good luck ATB!

Jacob June 10, 2014 (9:57 am)

I got an idea for the location – level the place and let Tat’s Truck station there. Money.

squareeyes June 10, 2014 (10:08 am)

Sunday breakfast was pretty good, but there are much better places to have breakfast. Otherwise, it was low on my personal places to socialize because I am not a beer drinker and the wine was awful.

I work near the SLU location and recently had an argumentative waiter there who didn’t believe that the tonic in my V&T was more 7-up than tonic until he tasted it himself. And no, he didn’t comp the drink, he just blamed the beverage gun and said there’s nothing he could do about it. If they’re making money at SLU it’s because of the location, great waterfront patio, and beer selection. It really doesn’t offer much else.

sam-c June 10, 2014 (10:12 am)

bummer! I thought their food was pretty good. had lunch with co-workers there a few times. went to brunch with my husband a couple times. the last time we went, his poached egg was so undercooked he couldn’t eat it (mine was not quite as under-done but edible). ever since then, I’ve never convinced him to go there for brunch again. especially with Jak’s southwest benedicts down the street !
(oh, and the service didn’t really seem that attentive: like, no opportunity to tell them about raw eggs because they never came back to the table after dropping off food… until it was time to drop off our check.)

Huck June 10, 2014 (10:26 am)

Good riddance.
Rude, rude staff.

TomH June 10, 2014 (11:27 am)

Used to go there a lot
but many of my favorite staffers were fired and it no longer had the same homey vibe I had enjoyed. Haven’t been there more than twice in the last 9 months. Sad to see another failure there but not shocked by any means. It remains “the coffin corner”

Cait June 10, 2014 (11:31 am)

I know that Godfathers was open when I was born in 1986, so at least that far back…

Kim June 10, 2014 (11:58 am)

Put in a Chipotle or Qdoba, please!

miws June 10, 2014 (12:04 pm)

Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking, Cait.

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1984 seems about right, and I’ve been trying to remember if I’d ever gotten a Godfather’s Pizza to go, and just took the short walk home to my apartment above what is now Barnecut Law Offices, or if those pizzas only ended up taking a car ride home with me, after I moved to 42nd & Juneau in June of ’85.

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I actually kind of liked Godfather’s. It had a bit of a different taste, and though not my favorite pizza back then, or since, I still enjoyed on once in awhile.

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Mike

Avalon June 10, 2014 (12:11 pm)

I agree with debbie, I think this would be a great location for the Rocksport to re-open! Any way we can try and convince the Rocksport owners? :)

Tbone June 10, 2014 (12:46 pm)

That’s unfortunate, though not surprising. I remember when it opened it was really quite a nice place to go. I loved the live music, and the food seemed very thoughtfully done. Over the years it lost all that. The qualities just kept disappearing and dining there just got more and more expensive it seemed. Last time I was in, a few weeks ago, it was staffed by the rudest people… Getting a beer was a chore, and listening to the waitress reply ‘dope’ to the table next to me after they ordered pretty much made me never want to go back. What is a shame is when places like that disappear overnight, close up, move out. Makes me think that they didn’t really care about the neighborhood enough to even say farewell in any way.

buddsmom June 10, 2014 (12:54 pm)

Bring Guppy’s with a full working kitchen!

MindDrive June 10, 2014 (1:03 pm)

I too received sporadic service there having gone several times. And on 2 or 3 Friday nights they closed early and turned me away. That definitely discouraged me from going there.

fj June 10, 2014 (1:21 pm)

Celtic Swell forever!!!!!!

james June 10, 2014 (1:33 pm)

“Area Bartender” — that’s HILARIOUS.

sam sneed June 10, 2014 (2:18 pm)

It makes more sense to put your energy downtown as it will make more money than here. smart business move. This change in focus was definitely noticeable years ago with no AC in the summer, etc… Good luck, you will get rich.

Bad Business June 10, 2014 (2:20 pm)

MindDrive, me too. The last time I went there, I’d gone in to watch a Sounders game which started at 8:00 on a weekend night. They kicked everyone out and closed at 9:00. I already wasn’t eating their horrible food, but I never even thought of going in for a beer after that.

datamuse June 10, 2014 (3:00 pm)

If decent food, efficient service, and the ability to hear my companion across the dinner table means I’m “hard to please,” then OH WELL.

Bob formerly of west seattle June 10, 2014 (5:08 pm)

What a terrible loss. We loved this restaurant what a shame, it was one of the best around. I am not surprised, everyone I talk to avoids the junction now. What is going to happen when all the new housing gets built and traffic will be so bad no one will be able to get in or out of the junction. It was fun when we lived there, glad we have moved on.

CJ June 10, 2014 (6:20 pm)

Trivia on Thursday nights was always fun, and I enjoyed the food, the staff, and the booze. My wife loved the draught root beer. We never had a bad experience. Perhaps it was the company we kept. I loved this place.

dawsonct June 10, 2014 (6:42 pm)

In reply to the comment by Curtiss — 7:49 pm June 9, 2014:
“…This corner is not cursed. There’s been a bad run of concepts to be sure, or at the wrong times, but ATB could have made it. It’s no ghost, it is ego.”

Absolutely agree with all you said. I worked in one of those places, and had industry insider information on the rest. A string of owners with poor management skills, hyper-inflated ego, bad decisions made at the wrong time, etc.
Something WILL work in that space at some point (yes, even if they have to pay their line-cooks $15/hr), hopefully they can take advantage of the terrific woodwork and stonemasonry without having to rely on a theme.
Or if a theme must be followed, don’t rely exclusively on the safe and mundane. See: Matador, Cactus.

dawsonct June 10, 2014 (6:48 pm)

The crazy thing about their S. Lk. Union spot, is that it is impossible to see from Fairview, with bad streetside signage. I work across the street at The Hutch and didn’t even know it was open until months after the fact. I thought they were moving into a completely different spot, closer to Duke’s and Daniels, which would have been the smart decision.
Unless they work out some very obvious signage for their “new” concept, that spot will sink quickly as well.

KMaass June 10, 2014 (7:05 pm)

It’s too bad my husband and I plus our best WS friends used to frequent ATB on Thursday nights for trivia (come to think of it I hope we used our last gift card). We loved the original staff and had noticed some of them were gone. I think that Prost should relocate there with a full kitchen like the SLU location. Although a 24 hour diner would be awesome too!!

miws June 10, 2014 (8:53 pm)

Something WILL work in that space at some point…

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….and, dawsonct, you’ll be opening your restaurant there when? ;-)

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Mike

Raye Westad June 11, 2014 (4:23 am)

Oh Lord, please don’t let yet another Asian or pizza place go into the vacated space. Or even Mexican. Give the West Seattle Junction something truly different and good. There’s got to be at least one restaurant that can survive there and have good food. Actually, I think there are way too many restaurants and not enough retail businesses in West Seattle.

DH June 11, 2014 (7:40 am)

Sorry to those opposed but my vote is for “cursed.”

alki warrior June 11, 2014 (8:08 am)

Aweeeeeeee……I never went there.

sven June 11, 2014 (11:27 am)

I just went there Saturday! The service was pretty poor, but I had no idea they were going out of business. I really liked their brunch.

pjmanley June 11, 2014 (2:26 pm)

It’s a very tough business to survive in, but it’s not the location that’s cursed. It’s the entitled attitudes of staff and ownership that presume their tips without putting forth the effort and concern to earn them. This started with tip jars at espresso carts in the late 1980’s, and now we see them everywhere. Look, when I’m spending discretionary dollars for food and wine that’s already 5 times the cost of preparing it myself, you better hustle for those tips, or I’m not coming back. We’re too nice in Seattle to give 5% or 10% and write why on the bill. Instead, in our passive-aggressive community, like it or not, we leave, don’t come back, and tell our friends.

When I was working my way through college in the restaurant and catering industries, there was a hard and fast rule we all knew. People who have a good experience will tell 2 other people. People who have a bad experience will tell 5. Run the numbers, and that’s what closes restaurants, not “curses.”

Sunshine June 11, 2014 (3:38 pm)

Someone open up a diner there. Call it, “The Curse Cafe”. Menu items could be play’s on cuss words. GO!

sue lindblom June 11, 2014 (7:26 pm)

After reading dozens comments I know little more of story. I’m sad when any business fails. I thought with them being visible on a corner that the construction wouldn’t affect them as much. I don’t believe that was the problem with the much smaller sock store & curious Kids still hanging in. I always enjoyed the food but confess usually went for lunch when it was less crowded so noise was not real issue. I thought different food was huge plus for Junction! When new apartments begin filling up there’ll be ready made customers!I’m so sad to see it go and can’t help think they spread themselves too thin with opening a third location too soon.

dawsonct June 11, 2014 (7:55 pm)

You put up the money, Mike, and I’ll create the concept and run the place.

Probably be some kind of diner. Maybe a 24 hour place?
—
That place is deceptively huge, the kitchen as well. Whatever goes in there needs to take full advantage of all that space in order to thrive.
And keep the bar. A well-run bar is like printing cash. Even more so if it is a brew-pub.

dawsonct June 11, 2014 (8:09 pm)

Frankly, I thought the menu was a half-hearted attempt at stereotypical American-Irish bar fare. Never seemed to be much thought or effort put into it. Always sort of good for what it was, but not much better than that.
I think they’ve spread themselves too thin also, Sue. Didn’t they have their own brand of beer and Irish whiskey? I know stuff like that gets contracted out, but I have to imagine that they are tied into a fairly substantial contract length or quantity requirement.

Junctionite June 11, 2014 (8:15 pm)

Something like Brass Tacks in Georgetown would be great, with live music.

Mark June 11, 2014 (8:19 pm)

West Seattle needs a good BBQ joint, maybe with Pacific NW options like smoked salmon and grilled oysters

miws June 11, 2014 (9:11 pm)

I wish I had the money to put up, dawson… :-)

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Mike

Costanza June 12, 2014 (1:43 am)

To whomever asked about the dude who hosted the trivia on Thursdays… Starting next week he’ll continue trivia hosting duties at the South Lake Union location

Sweet Lou June 12, 2014 (9:19 am)

How about a reincarnation of Groucho’s! Loved that place.

Paul June 12, 2014 (4:17 pm)

Hey — I’m the trivia dude – thanks for the nice words! I’m going to be hosting at the ATB Renton starting next week – we’re going to give the Renton host a needed break. Come if you can. In the meantime, if you have a venue recommendation for a new quiz, please drop me a line: quizfix@gmail.com. And you can go to http://www.facebook.com/quizfix to find out where I land next. Thanks!

matt June 12, 2014 (5:04 pm)

Fortunately, I’m not gonna lose any sleep over this closing, although reading through the comments, I feel bad for the people who enjoyed going to this bar/restaurant. I never had anything to eat here that I enjoyed, and the beer selection left a lot to be desired from my personal tastes.

Hopefully something interesting will take its place. I don’t think it’s a cursed spot, it’s just that people didn’t want to go to a crappy bar, ha

cristypt June 13, 2014 (4:42 pm)

Mr. Gyros. Please come to West Seattle.

gypsyhippie June 14, 2014 (11:04 am)

What A Terrible mistake!!

interested party June 14, 2014 (1:10 pm)

Anyone know who the landlord/ property management is?

WSB June 14, 2014 (1:17 pm)

Records show the building is owned by Leon Capelouto, who has multiple properties in The Junction. I don’t know if he has a property manager but you’ll find Capelouto Properties in telephone listings.

SF June 14, 2014 (3:47 pm)

I am not surprised and it has nothing to do with “cursed corner syndrome”.
The service, food and management in the last year was terrible.

datamuse June 14, 2014 (4:00 pm)

Mark: it doesn’t look like much, but Morningstar Deli at 9th and Henderson has some of the best BBQ I’ve tasted in years.

Sharon June 14, 2014 (10:14 pm)

Great place for a well conceived …..diners drive in and dives type place…..nw style ……

R2 June 16, 2014 (10:39 am)

They had the best Reuben in town! I agree with others that it always seemed to be busy, served ample portions and reasonably priced. I never had a bad experience with my food or service. What a disappointment.

Todd June 16, 2014 (2:07 pm)

It’s a bummer that nothing has managed to stay there. I know Godfather’s was there in ’83, because it was Taco Pizza and video games in the back for me!
That was also when Kathy’s Studio of Dance was a video arcade, too.
I would help fund Rocksport’s return to the Junction if they wanted that spot!

savoirfaire June 18, 2014 (8:03 am)

I would love to see the Pan-Africa Grill come back; does anyone know what happened to them after they closed in Morgan Junction? I know their service got a bad rap, but their food was great. IIRC the owners also had/have a shop selling spices etc. at Pike Place Market–the ATB space would be perfect for that since it’s already got the built-in mini-store.

Failing that, a proper 24-hour diner would be great, or maybe Korean bbq.

WSlifer June 27, 2014 (1:45 pm)

Lets not over think it , this business is not rocket science. Good product backed by good sales people= sales/revenue. They over extended in Lake Union and sucked the good energy (staff) out of the location to make that work. Product suffered, sales suffered now the doors are closed and they have nothing but a lease to sell. Just like the Wingdome. Its an all too familiar story in our business.